Insights
We share tips for cutting down on plastic use in the workplace
With research showing there is twice as much plastic waste as there was two decades ago, it’s vital that everyone makes an effort to reduce their plastic use. A research paper from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published in early 2022, shows that most plastic is ending up in landfill, incinerated or leaking into the environment. Only 9% is successfully recycled.
Plastic Free July raises awareness of plastic pollution and encourages people to think about how they can stop using single-use plastics. We’re sharing tips to reduce plastic use in the office, inspire colleagues to take action, and how to work with suppliers who care about the environment. The Plastic Free July website has some case studies you can read to get ideas from other organisations who have reduced single-use plastics.
A community interest company in Devon called Less Plastic says that businesses of all sizes are well-placed to make a difference when it comes to tackling the plastic crisis. “While individual efforts to use less plastic add up over time, cutting plastic usage at a business-level results in significantly greater reductions in plastic waste and far-reaching consequences. This creates a ripple effect of positive change among colleagues, customers, suppliers, competitors, industry and the wider community.”
Here are some tips to reduce plastic at your charity and protect the environment:
Less Plastic suggests holding a talk to inspire your colleagues to do something about the issue of plastic waste. You could get an external expert to come in and talk to them or if there is someone in your organisation who is passionate about dealing with the problem, you could ask them to speak.
Plastic Free July recommends that you keep conversations about plastic pollution positive. “Focus on the solutions and not on the problems – people are much happier to join in that way.”
You may want to consider setting up a group of colleagues to champion sustainability at your charity and encourage others to think about how they can reduce the amount of plastic they use. This will help to put plastic use and other environmental issues at the core of your charity’s work.
Recycling is an obvious way to stop plastic from ending up in landfill. But it’s important to know which items are recyclable because if items are put in the wrong bin, it could be rejected by a recycling processing plant. You can check what can be recycled in your local area on the Recycle website: www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item
Plastic Free July recommends carrying out a bin audit to help you understand what waste your charity is producing and make sure it’s being disposed of in the right way.
Kitchens often contain a lot of single-use plastics. Put together an inventory of all the single-use plastic items you have in your office kitchen, including plastic cutlery, plates, bowls and cups, bin bags, teabags and their packaging, single use coffee pods, and water bottles. Then start looking for reusable alternatives.
The Plastic Free July website has lots of information about reusable alternatives. Steer clear of single-use cardboard, bamboo, or compostable plastic. Instead, look to buy ceramic mugs, stainless steel cutlery, and glass cups.
Amend your procurement policy to reduce your suppliers’ plastic use. You could ask suppliers to pack deliveries without plastic or use reusable packaging, such as recycled cardboard boxes.
Less Plastic recommends writing a formal letter to your suppliers that explains your objectives to cut your plastic use and how you would prefer to receive your deliveries.
If suppliers can’t change how they package up your deliveries, then you might want to consider looking for other suppliers who can offer sustainable packaging.]
With many people now working at home some of the week, or full time, it’s important for charities to look at how they can reduce plastic use beyond the office. Here are some ways to do this:
Looking for more tips on making your office green? We share some simple ways that charities can reduce their carbon footprint.
On the 17th October 2024, Charity Digital will hold our first ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit, a ticketed in-person event that will help charity professionals master the most talked-about tech of the decade.